My engine caught fire, and my insurer says it was wear and tear, so it won't pay. What can I do?

Car insuranceDeniedNew JerseyTexasChecked Nov 7, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-07 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Auto insurance guide · Types of auto coverages View original ↗

In short

Fire damage to your car is a comprehensive claim.
Ask the insurer to tell you in writing why it said no.
Keep the car and do not scrap it until this is settled.

What this means

Comprehensive coverage pays if your car is damaged by fire [1]. New Jersey also lists fire as covered by comprehensive [2]. The sources we found do not quote the policy words about wear and tear or mechanical breakdown. So we cannot say how your policy treats a fire that started from a worn part.

Ask your insurer for the reason in writing. In Texas, if the insurer rejects a claim, its written notice must state the reasons [3]. Then read the part of your policy it points to. Keep the car where the insurer can see it, because the insurer has a right to inspect it [4].

If you still disagree, you can complain. In Texas, the complaint to the Department of Insurance must be in writing [5]. In New Jersey, you can appeal to the company, and then ask the Insurance Claims Ombudsman to review the decision [6]. These sources come from Texas and New Jersey, so rules in your state may differ.

Your next step

Write to your insurer today and ask for the denial reason and the exact policy words it used [3]. Keep the car for inspection [4]. The sources give no deadline for a complaint — act soon.

Check it yourself

Open your policy and read the comprehensive part and its exclusions. Look for words about wear and tear or mechanical breakdown. We did not find the standard policy text for this in an official source — "Don't know yet". These sources are from Texas and New Jersey only, so rules in your state may differ. Ask your state insurance department or a lawyer if you are unsure.

Where this comes from (6)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Auto insurance guide · Types of auto coverages · checked 2026-11-07
Comprehensive (other than collision) coverage pays if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, flood, vandalism or something other than a collision.
[2] New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance · Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Your Own Insurer · page text · checked 2026-11-07
It also covers your vehicle for glass breakage, fire, wind, hail, and flood damage.
[3] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 542.056(c) · checked 2026-11-07
If the insurer rejects the claim, the notice required by Subsection (a) or (b) must state the reasons for the rejection.
[4] New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance · Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Your Own Insurer · FAQ 2 · checked 2026-11-07
You must make the damaged vehicle available for inspection by the insurance company before you have it repaired.
[5] Texas Department of Insurance · Auto insurance guide · Resolving problems · checked 2026-11-07
Your complaint must be in writing.
[6] New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance · Filing an Auto Damage Claim with Your Own Insurer · FAQ 22 · checked 2026-11-07
You can file an appeal with the insurance company's internal appeals panel. If you are still unsatisfied after the company's internal appeals panel renders its decision, you can request a review of that decision by the Insurance Claims Ombudsman.

How we found this

We matched your question to 6 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-07.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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